Rudi Čajavec

Rudi Čajavec (1 April 1911 – 2 July 1942) was a Yugoslav pilot (from Zgošća, Bosnia and Herzegovina), best known as the first airman of the Partisan air force.

Rudi Čajavec was born in Zgošća, Kakanj municipality, Bosnia to a family that originally came from Hrvatsko Zagorje.

Before the war he studied law at University of Belgrade where he participated in various left-wing groups and was arrested.

After the Axis invasion of Yugoslavia and establishment of the Independent State of Croatia he came to Banja Luka where he joined the resistance movement.

The plane was damaged by anti-aircraft artillery, and Čajavec was forced to crashland on territory controlled by Chetniks.